A prominent economist argues that a country's recent decline in manufacturing jobs is primarily due to increased automation, not outsourcing. The economist cites data showing a significant increase in robot installations in factories across the country. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the economist's claim that automation is the *primary* cause?
- AThe country's manufacturing output has remained stable or increased despite the job losses.
- BThe cost of installing and maintaining industrial robots has decreased significantly in recent years.
- CMany manufacturing jobs lost were in sectors that have seen minimal investment in automation technology.
- DOther industrialized nations have experienced similar declines in manufacturing employment due to automation.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Many manufacturing jobs lost were in sectors that have seen minimal investment in automation technology.
The economist claims automation is the *primary* cause for job decline, citing robot installations. Option A directly challenges this by showing that jobs were lost in sectors *without* significant automation investment. If jobs are being lost where automation isn't prevalent, then automation cannot be the *primary* cause of *all* or *most* job losses, thus weakening the claim.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Stable output with fewer jobs supports automation's efficiency, not weakening its role in job loss.
- B. Lower costs might explain *why* automation increased, but doesn't weaken the claim about its role in job loss.
- D. Similar trends elsewhere might strengthen the general idea of automation causing job loss, not weaken the claim about *this country's primary cause*.
Challenging Primary Causation
To weaken a claim that something is the 'primary cause', provide evidence that the effect occurs significantly without the proposed cause, or that another cause is more widespread or impactful.
- Focus on the word 'primary' or 'main'.
- Look for instances where the effect happens without the proposed cause.
- Consider other potential causes that might be more dominant.
Memory trick: The acclaimed star wasn't even in that scene!